FanPost

Looking to the future?

Unless something dramatic happens, and, by dramatic, I mean this putrid team suddenly becoming competent, Mikey, Marvin, and our Keystone Draft Squad will be looking at one of the top three picks in the 2009 draft. Here are a few possibilities for that pick- and lets hope to god that a trade gives us more than one in the first round:

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If there's a consensus number one floating around in the various 2009 mocks, it's Ole Miss offensive tackle, Michael Oher. The 6-5, 320lb. Oher(pictured above) is a force to be reckoned with, clearing the way for an otherwise inept Rebel offense to produce a 1000 yard rusher each of the past two years(BenJarvus Green-Ellis) and keeping new stud QB, Jevan Sneed clean this season. Running close second at this position are Virginia's Eugene Monroe(6-6, 315) and Alabama's Andre Smith(6-4, 340). One notch below- and therefore perhaps available in round two allowing us to go another way at one- are two LSU Tigers, Ciron Black(6-5 320) and Herman Johnson(6-7 360), who's actually a guard but can play either.

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Perhaps the most intriguing, given our need, offensive lineman that we might consider with our first pick is Cal center, Alex Mack(6-3 320). If there is such a thing as a stud center, Mack(above) is it, and he very well may be, pound for pound, the best O-Lineman in this draft. It would just seem kind of wrong to make a center the first overall pick in the draft- if that's what we're looking at but maybe that's just the kid in me reacting to much needed socks and underwear under the christmas tree instead of that PlayStation.

On the defensive side of the ball, the glamour picks belong to middle linebackers James Laurinaitis, who we all know, and to USC's Rey Maulauga(6-2 260). If I had to choose between the two, I'd probably go with Laurinaitis, who, while not as flashy as Maulauga, is about as instinctual and sideline to sideline dependable as they come. Maulauga's previous relationship with former Trojan, Keith Rivers might factor in here also. But, since our linebackers, with Rivers' return, seem to be in pretty decent shape- or in decent enough to not have to go with one this high, it would probably be better to go with upgrading our multimillion dollar lack of pass rush.

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For this, Georgia Tech's DE, Michael Johnson(6-7 260). Johnson(above) is Jevon Kearse but, perhaps, even faster. He'll need some seasoning to be an every down player but could actually give us a legitimate threat on the edge. My personal favorite- because bigger is better is Alabama NT, Terrence Cody(6-5 370). You talk about jamming the middle, tying up two linemen at a time, the behemoth Cody(below) is the man. Others that figure in to the conversation; Ole Miss end, Greg Hardy(6-4 265), South Florida's George Selvie(6-4, 255), and Brian Orakpo(6-4 260) from Texas. 2978686048_bc8614bed0_o_medium

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Of course, lovers of aesthetics will gravitate towards Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree(6-3 220), who's this year's Andre Johnson- you'll remember him from yesterday, grimace...And, in the just in case category, the just in case the gimpy wheeled, tragically immobile and, now, bum-winged Carson Palmer is really through category, there's Georgia QB,  Matt Stafford(6-3 235) or at least a good quality backup like Texas Tech's Graham Harrell.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.